CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, January 9, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holmes.
The oath of office was administered to Mayor Holmes, Council Member Eric Dierks, and Council Member Rebecca Haugen by Administrator Boulton.
PRESENT: Council: Ryan Holmes, Stuart Ohr, Eric Dierks, Jeremiah Flotterud, and Rebecca Haugen, City Administrator: Michael Boulton, Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy, Melissa Meyers – Zumbrota News-Record, and Colin Rueter – New Life Church Pastor.
Pastor Colin Rueter provided an invocation for the beginning of the new year for the City of Wanamingo and City Council.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Haugen motioned, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Plowed snow, moved snow from cul-de-sacs, and sanded the streets on a number of occasions
2) Cleaned snow from around some of they hydrants. Hoping to clear snow from around more of the hydrants this week.
3) Identified mail boxes whose location were out of standard with the USPS. These mail boxes with either too low to the ground or too close to the road. These boxes are in the way of snow removal and could be damaged with normal snow plowing. The City snow plowing policy does not pay for damages to mail boxes that are out of USPS standards. Calls were made and letters were sent to residents whose mail boxes were out of standard and asked that they be addressed before next winter. A Facebook post was put up on the City Facebook page to inform residents of the standards as well.
4) Council members Stuart Ohr and Larry VanDeWalker along with City Administrator Boulton were present at the Wanamingo Locker to review the slaughtering process and clean up. Boulton stated that a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Inspector was present to review and document the process as well. Boulton stated that a copy of the report was included in the Agenda Packet. Boulton stated that the slaughtering process included a rubber ball being placed in the drain, being pumped up, the drain area being filled with water to ensure no leaks, the animal was slaughtered, the animal biproducts were placed in barrels, and the blood was squeegeed and vacuumed up with a shop vac. Ohr stated that it was a systematic process in which the staff knew exactly what they were doing. Ohr was impressed with slaughtering and clean-up process. Flotterud asked if all the State required enforcement steps were being completed by the Wanamingo. Kennedy said that the State MPCA says that the City has the authority to remedy any individual violations. The State MPCA will only get involved if the City exceeds discharge permit levels from the WWTP. Kennedy stated that the City was able to keep under these levels even when there were discharge violation present from the Wanamingo Locker in the past. Kennedy stated that the plan is running better than one year ago. Plant solids are down to 2,500 parts per million in 2022 from 4,000 parts per million in 2021. Kennedy stated that nearly all required enforcement steps were being completed, except for the Wanamingo Locker notifying the maintenance staff when slaughtering is going to occur. Flotterud asked if staff were going to follow up to ensure that the notification would be completed. stated that he would follow up to ensure that the notification would occur in the future. Kennedy stated that staff are monitoring the influent 24/7 to ensure that there are no spikes.
5) Replaced 15 water meters around town. Have appointments lined up to replace 15 more this week. Hoping to replace 25 per month to complete the entire town in two years. Roughly 175 meters and endpoints have been delivered from Metering Technologies and Solutions in the past two months. Meters and endpoints have been on backorder for several months prior to the deliveries.
6) Completed additional tree trimming along the South side of 440th Street. About half of the tree trimming is complete. The remaining tree trimming along 440th Street may have to wait until snow melts and warmer weather.
7) The switch from the old water towers to the new water tower is complete. The new water tower and distribution system is working well. The winter operations high fill is only 15 feet high on the tower. The summer operations will fill the tower higher. Pressure is better throughout town with winter fill height. When the tower was initially full pressure was noticeably higher throughout town. The downtown tower and Mingo View tower were taken offline and drained. However, a valve was unknowingly (partially) left on the overfilled the top of the tower in a few days. The freezing conditions created ice on the tower. The maintenance staff were able to identify and shut off the partially left on valve and drain the tower. There was nothing the maintenance staff can do about the ice chunks except wait and let warmer weather and gravity bring them down. The maintenance staff put out traffic cones and caution tape to around the water tower, well house, and log cabin lot to help warn the public of the dangers from ice chunks in case they fall off the tower. Kennedy stated that the contractor or its subcontractor had forgotten to install vertical installation around the riser enclosure. This caused freeze ups at the tower. Staff had to use heaters to thaw the riser pipe to get water moving again.
8) Holiday banners were taken down on Main Street. Will not be installing the newer City of Wanamingo banners due to the plastic material used to make them does not bend or stretch well in cold weather. Staff will wait for warmer weather in March or April to put the new logo banners back up.
9) Schumacher plans to remove the sediment from the Nelson Drive storm water retention pond at the end of January. Schumacher hopes that the ground is frozen enough for heavy equipment to easily remove the excess sediment material.
Mayor Holmes thanked the maintenance staff for all their hard, long hours, and effort in snow removal over the past few weeks. Mayor Holmes stated that the road conditions were pretty good considering the snow events that the City has recently seen. Flotterud asked about the ice rink status. Kennedy stated that staff had not gotten to the ice rink due to major snow events, holidays, and staff vacation. Kennedy was concerned with paying maintenance staff additional overtime to work on the rink after incurring overtime for snow removal. Kennedy hopes to start working on the ice rink later this week. Ohr asked that Kennedy bring up the recent damage to the skid loader pushing blade attachment. Kennedy stated that the pushing blade attachment recently broke off from the faceplate. The maintenance staff were able to weld the blade back to the faceplate. The pushing blade is nearly 25 years old. The larger skid loader and modification to the blade have put additional strain on the attachment. Kennedy stated that the City Council should consider replacements sooner than 2025 that is listed on the capital improvements plan (CIP). Kennedy stated that the City had $5,000 listed on the CIP, but that actual costs are between $13,000-$16,000.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
23-001 = Approving 2023 Appointments & Legals: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Dierks. Boulton explained that Ohr would replace VanDeWalker as acting mayor, Haugen would take VanDeWalker’s place as authorized check signer, Ohr would replace VanDeWalker on the personnel committee, Ohr would replace VanDeWalker on the safety committee, and Larry VanDeWalker and Stephen Kingsbury will replace Lindsey Fulton (moved out town) and Chuck Frederickson (passed away) on the police work group committee. Passed 5-0-0.
23-002 = Setting 2023 City Council Meeting Schedule: Haugen moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
23-003 = Authorizing Temporary Liquor License for the Fire Relief Association snowmobile run: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
23-004 = Approving 2023 Updated Wanamingo Emergency Management Plan: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Boulton stated that he and Gregg Erickson, the Wanamingo Civil Defense Director, had reviewed and made the necessary changes. The changes were mainly in the contacts and contact information. Passed 5-0-0.
23-005 = Authorizing a Temporary Gambling Permit for the Wanamingo Fire Relief Association: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
23-006 = Approving Financial Authorization: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Ryan Holmes, Stuart Ohr, and Michael Boulton continue to be designated check signers. Larry VanDeWalker will be removed and Rebecca Haugen will be added. Karen Masters is authorized to do banking transactions for account ending in 9301. Michael Boulton is authorized to do banking transactions for accounts ending in 9301 and 9314. Passed 5-0-0.
22-007 = Appointing Fire Department Officers: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Brian Gudknecht is stepping down as Fire Chief. Trevor Aase has been recommended as Chief, Parker Erickson has been recommended as 1st Assistant Chief, and Brandon Lunde has been recommended as 2nd Assistant Chief. Holmes reminded the Council that the City Council considers approval based upon the Fire Department recommendation, but retains complete authority regarding Fire Department Officer appointments. Passed 5-0-0.
22-008 = Approving Pay Request No. 7 to Caldwell Tanks Inc. for the Water Tower Portion of the 2022 Utility Improvements: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Boulton stated that the pay request is for $2,280.00. The new tower is up and running. Ohr asked how much the contractor was still owed. Boulton stated that the contractor is owed $95,677.50, with $62,277.50 being the retainage (5%). A punch list for the project will be compiled. Passed 5-0-0.
22-009 = Approving a One-Time Contribution to the Wanamingo Fire Relief Associations Retirement Fund From the General Fund: Haugen moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
Administrator Boulton stated that the new City of Wanamingo website, www.cityofwanamingo.com is live as of last week. The new website is part of the City rebranding that started well over three years ago when the City hired William Weigel. The City went with Revize platform to build the new website. The previous website utilized the Gov. platform. Dylan Steberg with the assistance of City Administrator Michael Boulton uploaded and migrated documents from the old website platform to the new website platform. Residents will able to navigate the new user-friendly website with the improved platform design. Residents will also have an easier time accessing the new website platform through smaller devises, such as cell phones and tablets. The City of Wanamingo rebranding, including new City logo and brand identity (theme and colors) are featured on the new website platform, look, and design. City staff will continue to make additions and improvements to the new site in the coming months.
OLD BUSINESS:
Public Hearing - Mayor Holmes opened Ordinance #201 - 2023 Fee Schedule Hearing at 7:29PM. Administrator Boulton went over the proposed changes from 2022 Fee Schedule for the proposed 2023 fee schedule including increasing the labor rate for each the Deputy Clerk, Public Works, and City Administrator by $5/hours, the skid loader from $65/hour to $75/hour, the water meter cost from $315 to $340, adding a daily ($25) and yearly ($100) mobile food cart & mobile food trailer fees, increasing the water debt service/ base fee from $24/month to $25/month, increasing the sewer debt service/base fee from $20.00/month to $22.00/month, increasing the monthly garbage fee from $15.21/month to $16.25/month, and increasing the monthly recycling fee from $6.45/month to $6.65/month. The increase to the water meter fee helps to cover increases to the actual costs of the water meters and readers. Boulton stated that the proposed monthly water base rate/debt service fee increase of $1.00/month to each hook-up would bring in roughly $7,000 in new revenue in 2023. Boulton stated that the proposed monthly sewer base rate/debt service fee increase of $2.00/month to each hook-up would bring in roughly $12,000 in new revenue in 2023. The garbage and recycling monthly increase reflect the yearly contract increases with Waste Management. Throughout the year, including the budgeting process the Council has discussed and has recommended the above changes. The City Auditors recommend that the Council review sewer/water rates and make small adjustments regularly to capture revenue as opposed to large jumps. The waste water treatment plant will need upgrades in the near future which could cost millions of dollars. The City needs to continue building a larger fund balance in the waste water fund before upgrades become reality. Administrator Boulton said estimates are between $7 million to $10 million for plant upgrades with $200,000 to $300,000 yearly debt service costs. In past years the City has increased its cash reserve $50,000-$70,000 per year. The fund has a current estimated balance of $580,000. Administrator Boulton stated that the Council should review and make small yearly increases over the next few years to build up the fund balance. Kennedy stated that the Council should consider higher bulk water rates in 2024. Kennedy stated that the City staff no longer leaves the meter on the hydrant for long periods of time in the summer. Kennedy stated that filling bulk water is roughly a half hour job for staff each day a vendor wishes to purchase and fill. The current bulk water rate is $7.00/1,000 gallons. Kennedy stated that each fill day should have a minimum fee plus a rate. Kennedy stated that a minimum fee could be $25. No Additional Public Comments Offered. Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 7:39PM.
Ordinance #201 - 2023 Fee Schedule - 2nd Reading - Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
Administrator Boulton presented the 2022 Wanamingo Outstanding Indebtedness Report. The Wanamingo EDA paid $26,000 in principal in 2022 and owes $325,000 at the beginning of 2023. The City paid $595,000 in principal and added $2,600,000 (water tower, well house, and water main looping project) in principal in 2022 and owes $5,675,000 at the beginning of 2023. The two advanced refunding bonds carry over $1,510,000 which were paid back 2/1/2022. Without the new water tower, well house, and water main looping bond on the books the total debt owed by the City/EDA would be $3,384,000. Administrator Boulton stated that this would be the lowest amount of debt on hand for many years. Boulton stated that the current debt service is manageable with the lower interest rates associated with the existing bonds. Boulton stated that the City paid $621,000 in principle and roughly $100,000 in interest in 2022. The report will be submitted to Goodhue County next week, according to the MN State Statutes.
Boulton stated that a North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District meeting had taken place with area legislators. State Senator John Jasinksi, State Senator Steve Drazkowski, State Representative Brian Daniels, and State Representative Steve Jacob were in attendance. The City Consulting Engineers presented the project to the legislators and City representatives. A discussion took place on 2023 Legislative Session bills that would need to be written and introduced. Thomas Hanson of Winthrop & Weinstine proposed that the request be made for half of the entire project costs rather than the limited engineering design and land acquisition costs. Hanson said that the State has over a $17 billion surplus and this is the legislative session to think big and request for one-time funds. The legislature will not want to add long-term costs to the budget in fear of future budget shortfalls. A strategy was discussed on how to frame the project, the collaboration, cost saving, and environment impacts. Prairie Island Indian Community involvement in the lobbying efforts with the Governor’s office and People of Color and Indigenous Legislative Caucus. A letter of support from Prairie Island Indian Community will be drafted and sent to legislators. A letter regarding the project and request will be sent to the Governor’s Minnesota Management & Budget office.
Boulton stated that the annual City Council/Staff Appreciation Dinner would be held on Saturday January 28th. The event will be held at Area 57 Café with social hour starting at 6:00PM and dinner at 7:00PM. Boulton stated that formal invites would be sent out later in the week.
*Fire Department/Township/City Annual Meeting is on 2/6/2023 at 6:30pm
*Next City Council meeting on 2/13/2023 at 7:00pm.
Adjourn: At 7:48PM a motion to adjourn was made by Flotterud and seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
